Armoury Records
2009
1. Deep Unknown
2. Falling Star
3. King of Nothing
4. Blind
5. Winter Skies
6. Forever Is Today
7. Higher We Go
8. Somehow Precious
9. Emancipation Suite I: Dusk
10. Emancipation Suite II: Dawn
11. When Mountains Fall
After all the drama that's been going on with Stratovarius the band has decided to continue on without it's former leader. This is a decision that in most cases would draw a lot of criticism, but in the case of Timo Tolkki I think people will be more willing to accept this band without it's primary songwriter. The man is batshit nuts after all and has dragged this band's name through the mud with his ridiculous antics. Not to mention the fact the songwriting and general popularity of the band's albums has been waning for awhile anyways.
It took me a few listens for this album to really sink in, which may be a good thing in itself as Stratovarius lately has been Too familiar. With a change in songwriters from the complete ownership of the band by Timo Tolkki some stylistic changes are to be expected. I'm not saying this doesn't sound like Stratovarius in style because there have been no huge adjustments, but I don't hear Tolkki's oh so familiar recycling either. This album seems to rely less on neoclassical speed guitar and keyboard combos as the riffs seem heavier and vary in pace. There are some tracks that are of the typical mold like Deep Unknown, which was obviously crafted like this to be the single, but I do feel there is a breath of fresh air here. I can't say that this really has amazing standout classics or stands up to the best the band has ever produced, but it's a step in the right direction. I tend to like the slower paced songs here which are geared towards sounding big and epic like the Emancipation Suite songs and King of Nothing. One other track which sticks out and is worth noting is When Mountains Fall which really doesn't have anything of a metal sound and is instead a soft folky ballad. Personally speaking, I like it for what it is.
Bottom line is that this doesn't propel Stratovarius back to the top in terms of quality, but it will probably do well as they still have the name recognition and should no longer have the ridiculously annoying antics of Tolkki. I'm just happy to have a decent Stratovarius album really and that the band can carry on.
Highlights: King Of Nothing, Emancipation Suite 1 & 2
Rating - 3.5/5
2. Falling Star
3. King of Nothing
4. Blind
5. Winter Skies
6. Forever Is Today
7. Higher We Go
8. Somehow Precious
9. Emancipation Suite I: Dusk
10. Emancipation Suite II: Dawn
11. When Mountains Fall
After all the drama that's been going on with Stratovarius the band has decided to continue on without it's former leader. This is a decision that in most cases would draw a lot of criticism, but in the case of Timo Tolkki I think people will be more willing to accept this band without it's primary songwriter. The man is batshit nuts after all and has dragged this band's name through the mud with his ridiculous antics. Not to mention the fact the songwriting and general popularity of the band's albums has been waning for awhile anyways.
It took me a few listens for this album to really sink in, which may be a good thing in itself as Stratovarius lately has been Too familiar. With a change in songwriters from the complete ownership of the band by Timo Tolkki some stylistic changes are to be expected. I'm not saying this doesn't sound like Stratovarius in style because there have been no huge adjustments, but I don't hear Tolkki's oh so familiar recycling either. This album seems to rely less on neoclassical speed guitar and keyboard combos as the riffs seem heavier and vary in pace. There are some tracks that are of the typical mold like Deep Unknown, which was obviously crafted like this to be the single, but I do feel there is a breath of fresh air here. I can't say that this really has amazing standout classics or stands up to the best the band has ever produced, but it's a step in the right direction. I tend to like the slower paced songs here which are geared towards sounding big and epic like the Emancipation Suite songs and King of Nothing. One other track which sticks out and is worth noting is When Mountains Fall which really doesn't have anything of a metal sound and is instead a soft folky ballad. Personally speaking, I like it for what it is.
Bottom line is that this doesn't propel Stratovarius back to the top in terms of quality, but it will probably do well as they still have the name recognition and should no longer have the ridiculously annoying antics of Tolkki. I'm just happy to have a decent Stratovarius album really and that the band can carry on.
Highlights: King Of Nothing, Emancipation Suite 1 & 2
Rating - 3.5/5
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